What Brings You Joy?

I know that this blog is generally about how to more efficiently run a household, but I have decided to branch out and delve more into the heart of homemaking and even the heart of homemakers. It's so easy to get bogged down with the cooking, cleaning, laundry, projects, organizing, errands, and child rearing that we sometimes forget to focus on the things that really bring us joy (aside from all of those things LOL). I thought that I would make a list of the things that bring me joy and purpose to really carve out some time during the week to do them. Life is too short to just do the to-dos if you know what I mean.

So, what brings me joy?

#1 – Writing
I really enjoy writing, whether it be blogging, journaling, poetry, or even more. I enjoy blogging and try to do it a few times a week (sometimes more). It covers a few bases – my love of writing and the joy I get from [hopefully] helping others. I also love journaling (which can be blogging or posting on Facebook) but want to work on privately journaling (believe it or not I have more thoughts than I share LOL). I enjoy writing poems about life. It has always been something that brings me comfort and peace. I also like writing songs. I have a few book ideas in my head and some even on paper. I want to spend more time writing or at least make sure I am keeping up with the ideas better (yes, I am super forgetful).

#2 – Reading
I really enjoy reading, especially Christian growth, marriage, parenting, and discipline books, how-to books about organization, cleaning, cooking, etc, and classic literature (Little Women, Jane Austen, etc). I really want to read at least 30 minutes a day. It's hit or miss right now. I have a Kindle loaded up with great books. That helps. I can carry a ton of books in a slim little reader wherever I go. It's amazing!

#3 – Scrapbooking
I really enjoy scrapbooking. It is so fun to pull out the supplies, put on a good movie or music, and just crop until I drop. I want to work on doing this more. I am hoping to setup a scrapbooking area that doesn't have to be cleaned up all the time. I also want to invite friends over to do crops to make it more fun and keep me accountable.

#4 – Working Out
In the past, after a few months of consistently working out, losing some weight, toning up, and feeling good, I actually thoroughly enjoyed working out. I enjoyed the time to myself, the sweat, the endorphins, the thrill of accomplishment, and how great it felt when I would meet a goal and set another. I am not loving the way I look or how I feel right now. I really want to start working out again. I am working on some ideas to help me get started. Starting is the hard part. Once you start feeling better and getting results, it actually gets "fun".

#5 – Playing the Piano
For those of you who don't know, I play the piano by ear (well some songs at least). I want to really learn how to play the right way and read sheet music. I am also planning to teach Luke (we'll be learning together).

So there are 5 things that bring me joy and I am hoping to really work on doing them more.

What are yours?